Lefaucheux M1858

The Lefaucheux M1858
was a French military revolver developed for the navy, chambered for the 12 mm pinfire cartridge, and based on a design by Casimir Lefaucheux and his son, Eugene (also a gun designer). The 1854 model was the first metallic-cartridge revolver adopted by a national government; the 1858 was the first variant fielded It was first issued in 1858 by the French Navy (as either the Lefaucheux de Marine mle 1858 or simply M1858), and though never issued by the French Army, it was used in limited numbers by the French Cavalry during their 1862 deployment to Mexico. The 1858 was later upgraded in the late 1860s as the Lefaucheux de Marine 1870. It was accepted by the French Navy, but only 150 copies were delivered by 1872. Models of the 1858 were also purchased by Spain, Sweden, Italy, Russia, and Norway. Most were produced either at the state arsenal in St. Etienne (MAS), Liege, Belgium, or local producers under license. The revolver was sold to the civilian market as well. Most military models were produced only with single-action, whereas civilian models were made primarily with double action.

Design
The revolver was a six-shot open-framed design, which was loaded via a hinged gate on the right side of the frame, through which empty cartridges were also ejected via an ejector rod running along the barrel.

Variants
The Danish military fielded the Lefaucheux-Francotte M1865/97 in 11.45mm center fire.

Archaeology
A western style pistol along with bullets and other related items were recovered in the Japanese artificial island of Dejima, a Dutch United East Indies Company settlement in Japan. They were found outside the wall of the Kapitan’s quarters. The Kapitan/Captain is the Director of Dejima Factory.

"The pistol is 31 cm in overall length with a caliber of 1.3 cm, a revolver of the type invented in the mid 19th century by the Frenchman Lefaucheux."

Used by
- France
- Spain
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Italy
- Brazil

Wars
- French intervention in Mexico
- Paraguayan War
- Franco-Prussian War

Custom 1858 Lefaucheux, pinfire to centerfire conversion

Weapontype:
Pinfire revolver (Conversion to centerfire exist)

Manufacturer:
Various (state arsenal in St. Etienne (MAS))

Operation:
Single action revolver

Cartridge:
12 mm Lefaucheux

Chambers:
12 mm

Weight:
980 grams

Length:
280 mm

Feed system:
6 round cylinder

In service dates:
1858–1865

In Production:
1858–1865

Sights:
fixed front post and rear notch